A Field Goal Up.

Three up on
the Phillies in the NL East with 22 left to play. Not in as good shape
(standings-wise) than the 2007 Mets at this time. At this time last year, the
Mets had a stronger lead in the NL East. 
However, last year, at this point, the writing was on the wall.  2007 was not to be for the NY Mets. I recall
a dread about the team’s prospect for post season hopes.  At this point last year, I was outwardly
saying that “I hope they don’t make it”. 
Their play was so awful that I did not want to see them humiliated in the
postseason.

 

This is
2008.  I’m not feeling that dread. I’m no
longer watching the team with hands over my eyes.  Sure, they’re making things interesting (on a
regular basis).  But deep down, I believe
they can “get ‘r done”.

 

To say that
this is a big weekend is an understatement. 
The Phillies will crawl into town three games out of first place.  The worst thing that can happen is that the
Mets get swept by Philadelphia and have to share first place.

 

The
Phillies have gone 5-5 over their last ten games (losing two of three from the
lowly Nationals) while the Mets have been playing with a fire earning a 7-3
record over the same stretch.  While some
of the Phillies regulars that have scorned us in the past continue to produce
(Werth, Utley, Howard and Rollins), Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino (who is
quickly becoming the target of my ire) have been put on ice for the past week
(batting .161 and .133 respectively).  On
the Flushing side, we see continued production
from Reyes, a hot bat in Beltran and a quiet productive return of Luis
Castillo.  If Delgado can find his stroke
again, the Mets can prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the NL East and
in the postseason.

 

What I am
asking of the Mets is to take two out of three this weekend.  Football is back, and I’d like to not feel
guilty about immersing myself in the Sunday festivities because the Mets are
battling on SNY to maintain a lead.